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What are invasive species?

Invasive Species Definition

…invasive species include non-native organisms that cause economic or environmental harm and are capable of spreading to new areas of the state. Invasive species does not include domestic livestock, intentionally planted agronomic crops, or non-harmful exotic organisms.

Some examples

Plants

Washington has been fighting to control invasive plants since settlers first arrived. For many years, the agricultural community led the fight against invasive plants. Today , we recognize that invasive plants also harm lakes, streams, wetlands, and ecosystems. Invasive plants displace native species that wildlife depend on for food. See the top management priorities.

Animals

Insects, snakes, birds, lizards, fish, amphibians, and mammals can dramatically alter native habitats and out-compete native species. To see a list of all potentially invasive aquatic species prohibited from the state please, visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Aquatic Invasive Species page.

Insects

Exotic pests are estimated to cost the United States $137 billion in crop damage each year. Pests, such as the apple maggot, have the ability to attack not only apples, Washington's top cash crop, but also cherries, pears, plums, and apricots. To find out more about exotic pests, visit the Washington Department of Agriculture's Web site (www.agr.wa.gov/plantsinsects/insectpests/).